House of Lords Launches Inquiry into “Numeracy for Life”
The Committee is seeking views from teachers, school leaders, colleges, employers, charities, researchers and adults with lived experience. It is particularly interested in practical, real‑world examples of what improves numeracy for both children and adults, especially those who disengaged from maths during their school years.
Key areas of focus include:
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Attitudes towards maths, including the widespread belief—especially among women and girls—of being “unable to do maths”.
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Essential numeracy skills for life, and how low numeracy affects health, employment and financial wellbeing.
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How AI and other technologies are changing the numeracy demands placed on citizens.
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Early years influences, including families and pre‑school settings.
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The effectiveness of current maths education, including curriculum pressures, teacher confidence, and disparities linked to gender, ethnicity, socio‑economic background and geography.
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Adult numeracy, following the end of the Multiply programme, and how best to motivate and support adults with low confidence or skills.
Written submissions (maximum six pages) are invited by 10:00am on 27 April 2026 via the Committee’s online portal. Contributors must disclose any use of generative AI and avoid commenting on active legal cases. The Committee may publish submissions online and may invite selected contributors to give oral evidence later in the inquiry. The Select Committee on Numeracy for Life will report its findings by 30 November 2026.
